Republicans Make Shocking Gun Control Concessions

The ten Republicans who pledged their support for a bipartisan gun control measure released on Sunday are either not running for reelection this November or are about to retire.

On Sunday, a group of twenty bipartisan senators unveiled a framework for gun control laws that include increasing background checks for people under the age of 21, incentivizing states to enact red flag laws, and funding for mental health. The bill was created by Democratic Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Chris Murphy of Connecticut along with Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of N.C..

Of the ten Republicans who backed the bill, Sens. Richard Burr of N.C., Rob Portman of Ohio, Roy Blunt of Missouri, and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, will all be retiring at the end of their terms.

The other six GOP lawmakers who backed the bill, including Tillis, Cornyn, and Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, aren’t up for reelection this year.

“The catastrophes in Uvalde and elsewhere called for action,” posted Cornyn on Sunday. “I collaborated with my teammates to develop a measure that would safeguard our communities from violence while also protecting law-abiding Texans’ gun rights.” 

“This bill will save lives while also protecting law-abiding citizens’ constitutional rights,” Governor Romney said.

“It is deserving of broad support,” Romney concluded.

Democratic president Joe Biden praised the plan, noting that while it does not meet all of his goals, it is a good start.

“Obviously, [the proposal] does not do everything that I believe is required, but it clearly shows important progress in the right direction,” Biden stated. “There are no excuses for delay or reason why it should not go swiftly through the Senate and House with a bicameral agreement.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed optimism that the bill would safeguard Second Amendment rights.

“I continue to believe that their negotiations will produce a bipartisan product with significant progress on key issues such as mental health and school safety, while also acknowledging the Second Amendment and making a difference for our country,” according to McConnell.